Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return? R Ashwin Makes a Bold 2027 World Cup Call 

There has been renewed speculation about Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to Indian cricket. After being out of the national team for a long time, his name has once again come up in the discussion of the possible squad for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. And experienced Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has added a new dimension to this debate. He believes that if he can maintain the right plan and consistent performance, Bhuvneshwar Kumar can once again play an important role for India in big tournaments.

Excellent bowling in the 2026 IPL, extraordinary ability to swing the new ball and proof of experience in moments of pressure – all this has brought Bhuvneshwar back into the discussion of the selectors. According to Ashwin, such an experienced swing bowler can further strengthen India’s bowling attack in South African conditions. So now everyone’s attention is on one thing – will Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return be just a matter of discussion, or will his return to the Indian team really be paved before the 2027 World Cup?

R Ashwin Wants Bhuvneshwar Kumar Back for 2027 World Cup

Experienced all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has made a big comment on India’s 2027 ICC ODI World Cup plans. In a discussion with ESPNCricinfo, he clearly stated that Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return could be an important decision for India. According to him, the experienced swing bowler should be prepared for the World Cup by playing regular domestic cricket right now.

Ashwin said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar needs to be given a chance to play first-class cricket, Vijay Hazare Trophy and other 50-over tournaments. This will help him regain match fitness and prepare himself better for the tough conditions in South Africa. Ashwin believes that Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return will add extra strength to India’s bowling attack due to his ability to swing the new ball and controlled bowling in the death overs.

According to the experienced spinner, relying only on young pacers remains risky in big tournaments. So, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj and promising youngsters can create an ideal balance for the Indian team. Especially his experience on South Africa’s pace and swing-friendly wickets can make a big difference.

Behind this statement is Bhuvneshwar’s recent performance. He has once again proved his worth by taking 28 wickets in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2026 IPL. That is why the discussion about Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return has become more intense in the cricketing circles. Now all eyes are on the Indian selectors – will Ashwin’s suggestion finally become a real decision or will it just remain a matter of discussion.

Why Does Ashwin Believe Bhuvneshwar Kumar Still Has a Role?

According to Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return is not just a matter of emotion, but a realistic option for India’s 2027 ICC ODI World Cup plans. In his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat and ESPNcricinfo, he said that the current Indian pace attack lacks experience. Therefore, along with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, a bowler who has experience in handling the pressure of a big tournament is needed.

A large part of Ashwin’s argument revolves around the conditions in South Africa. Most of the matches in the 2027 World Cup will be played there, where swing and seam movement with the new ball play an important role. According to him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s skills on such wickets can give India an added advantage. Besides, his ability to bowl effectively at both the start of the innings and the death overs sets him apart from the others.

Recent performances have also strengthened Ashwin’s argument. Bhuvneshwar has once again proven his consistency by taking 28 wickets in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2026 IPL. Ashwin also mentioned that his ability to contribute with the bat down the stretch can add extra balance to the Indian team, which becomes important in big tournaments.

That is why Ashwin has urged the selectors to give Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return a chance to play regularly in first-class cricket, the Vijay Hazare Trophy and other domestic competitions. He believes that by playing regular matches, Bhuvneshwar will be better prepared for his return to international cricket.

IPL 2026 Performance Reignites the Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return Debate

The debate over Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return has gained renewed momentum after his stellar performance in the 2026 IPL. The experienced pacer played a key role in the team’s title win by taking 28 wickets in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore. With swing with the new ball, controlled bowling in the middle overs and effective planning in the death overs, he once again showed that he still has the ability to perform on the big stage.

Not only the wickets, but his consistency throughout the season was also impressive. Along with bowling at an economy rate of 7.90, he regularly hit the opposition’s top order by taking 17 wickets in the Powerplay. At the same time, he also made his name as the first fast bowler in the history of IPL to touch the milestone of 200 wickets. This achievement is another proof of the consistency of his long career.

After Bhuvneshwar’s performance, the demand for him to be brought back into the Indian team has become stronger. Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly expressed his support for his return. Former cricketers like Akash Chopra, Ravi Shastri, Virender Sehwag and Sunil Gavaskar have also praised his experience and effectiveness at various times. Virat Kohli has also highlighted his contribution for RCB.

However, the BCCI has not made any official announcement about Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return at this time. Although there have been discussions about the possibility in various quarters, there has been no concrete indication from the selectors yet. On the other hand, Bhuvneshwar has also taken a calm stance on the whole matter. His only goal is to contribute to the team’s victory by giving his best wherever he gets the opportunity.

Source: ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, published cricket news and analysis.

Can Bhuvneshwar Kumar Make India’s 2027 ODI World Cup Squad?

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return is no longer just a fan’s passion, but also a topic of discussion among cricket experts. Although the BCCI is yet to make an official announcement about his return, the experienced pacer’s name is increasingly emerging in the probable squad for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. He has once again proven that he still has the ability to perform on the big stage by taking 28 wickets in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2026 IPL.

Ravichandran Ashwin has played the biggest role in this discussion. According to him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing bowling on South Africa’s pace and seam-friendly wickets can be a big weapon for India. He also feels that the presence of another experienced bowler like Jasprit Bumrah alongside a senior pacer will balance the team. His ability to contribute with the bat in the lower order also gives him added value.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience in ODI cricket is also a big factor in his favour. He has taken 141 wickets in 121 ODIs for India. His economy rate is 5.08, and his best bowling figures are 5/42. He has also scored 552 runs with the bat, which can make a significant contribution to the team’s lower order if needed. Although his last ODI match was in 2022, these figures still highlight the value of his experience.

However, the path to a return to the national team is not easy at all. Cricket experts have suggested that he will have to prepare for 50-over cricket by playing first-class cricket and the Vijay Hazare Trophy regularly. At the same time, there will be competition from pacers like Mohammad Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and the fit Mohammed Shami in the Indian team. So, if Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return is to become a reality, he will have to strengthen his claim with his performance on the field.

At the moment, there is discussion in various media outlets about his possible comeback in future ODI series. However, there is no official confirmation from the BCCI yet. So his chances of making it to the 2027 World Cup squad will depend entirely on his performance in the coming months, fitness and the selectors’ long-term plans.

The discussion about Bhuvneshwar Kumar Return has now not only brought up memories of the past, but also brought up the possibilities of the future. His consistent performance in the 2026 IPL, experience and support from several cricket experts including Ravichandran Ashwin have further intensified the debate. Although the BCCI has not yet made any official decision, the upcoming domestic cricket and possible opportunities will determine his international future. Now, the only thing waiting for cricket fans is – can this experienced swing bowler return to the Indian jersey and make his mark on the 2027 World Cup stage?